Hans Krouchdaler (also spelled Krauchthaler) was a master luthier of historic violins and one of the most important representatives of the Alemannic tradition. He was born at some point before 1650 and probably completed his training under Joseph Meyer in Geroldshofstetten near Grafenhausen in the southern Black Forest. In 1677 he was granted citizenship in his home town of Balm, a village near Bern, Switzerland, which is considered the southernmost point of the Alemannic School. A communion table known to be his work gives rise to the assumption that he learned the carpenter’s trade before becoming a luthier. Both this table and the instruments of his that have survived clearly illustrate the skills of a talented craftsman.
Bibliographical references, additional information and links can be found in the glossary article about the Alemannic School …
